160 Degree Thermostat Install
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
160 Degree Thermostat Install
I need some instructions for installing a 160 degree thermostat on my 2008 LS3. I also need to know what tools, jacks, etc. i will need to do this. How long? Any pictures?
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
and it's in correcttly. Reinstall tighten by hand first then with the 1/4 "
drive tighten snug, not real tight! Add some sauce back in the radiator
to fill it back to spec. Start it, then when it opens the level goes down,
you may have add more!
Easy Job, but not now for me with the blower!
Last edited by 3 Z06ZR1; Mar 20, 2009 at 11:46 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
Easy job if you don't mind a little anti-freeze on the floor.
I would double check the new thermostat in a pot of hot water. Use a candy thermometer to verify the opening temp. Note where it starts to open and when it is fully open.
The torque values for the water inlet bolts are: 15 N·m or 11 lb ft..
I would double check the new thermostat in a pot of hot water. Use a candy thermometer to verify the opening temp. Note where it starts to open and when it is fully open.
The torque values for the water inlet bolts are: 15 N·m or 11 lb ft..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
Easy job if you don't mind a little anti-freeze on the floor.
I would double check the new thermostat in a pot of hot water. Use a candy thermometer to verify the opening temp. Note where it starts to open and when it is fully open.
The torque values for the water inlet bolts are: 15 N·m or 11 lb ft..
I would double check the new thermostat in a pot of hot water. Use a candy thermometer to verify the opening temp. Note where it starts to open and when it is fully open.
The torque values for the water inlet bolts are: 15 N·m or 11 lb ft..
Well, if its an easy job, please give me some instructions on how to do it. Thats why i posted this. I dont have a torque wrench either so how tight should i tighten it?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
No jacks, I believe I just put a pan with short sides that slides right under the car under the t-stat area. Then using a 1/4" drive socket. Either 10 or 8mm can't remember, but loosen the two bolts and pull the housing back and remove it. When reinstalling the new 160, make sure the rubber tab is in the right spot
and it's in correcttly. Reinstall tighten by hand first then with the 1/4 "
drive tighten snug, not real tight! Add some sauce back in the radiator
to fill it back to spec. Start it, then when it opens the level goes down,
you may have add more!
Easy Job, but not now for me with the blower!
and it's in correcttly. Reinstall tighten by hand first then with the 1/4 "
drive tighten snug, not real tight! Add some sauce back in the radiator
to fill it back to spec. Start it, then when it opens the level goes down,
you may have add more!
Easy Job, but not now for me with the blower!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 20,933
Likes: 905
From: salem OR
From the response above, you must not know much about automobile maintenance. It is very rewarding and cost effective to do your own mods, but things can go wrong really quickly. If you you going to work on your car I would suggest a shop manual, available from Genes parts house, http://www.gmpartshouse.com/ and a couple of torque wrenches. One for the small stuff, in/lb increments, and one for ft/lb measurements. It is real easy to over torque and strip out bolts in aluminum. Tooltopia, http://www.tooltopia.com/an on line tool store, has some moderately priced wrenches that will get you going.
your fine.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 7
From: Brownsville Texas
thermostat install
You must also purge the air out of the system. There are a couple of ways to do this. If you don't - your engine will heat up quite fast and the air blockage will still be there. One method is to remove the small coolant hose that attaches to the pipe/cylinder head and physically blow air into the coolant reservoir until coolant flows out the hose or you could remove the upper radiator hose and blow air into the hose until a restriction is felt - air pocket gone. Attach hose to radiator. Now - just start it up and moniter the level of the coolant tank and your DIC temps and add coolant as needed.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
Do it right, don't dump coolant all over your garage or driveway.
Raise the front of the car enough to get a container under the drain valve for the radiator, drain 2 gallons into a clean container, close the drain valve, THEN remove the 2 bolts from the t'stat housing (you'll lose a couple of ounces of coolant), remove the old t'stat, install the new t'stat, bolt up the housing. Now lower the car back to ride height, fill the overflow tank, start the car, let it run till the overflow tank is low, fill the tank again, run the car again and continue filling the overflow tank until you've replaced all the coolant you drained.
Raise the front of the car enough to get a container under the drain valve for the radiator, drain 2 gallons into a clean container, close the drain valve, THEN remove the 2 bolts from the t'stat housing (you'll lose a couple of ounces of coolant), remove the old t'stat, install the new t'stat, bolt up the housing. Now lower the car back to ride height, fill the overflow tank, start the car, let it run till the overflow tank is low, fill the tank again, run the car again and continue filling the overflow tank until you've replaced all the coolant you drained.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Madison MS
From the response above, you must not know much about automobile maintenance. It is very rewarding and cost effective to do your own mods, but things can go wrong really quickly. If you you going to work on your car I would suggest a shop manual, available from Genes parts house, http://www.gmpartshouse.com/ and a couple of torque wrenches. One for the small stuff, in/lb increments, and one for ft/lb measurements. It is real easy to over torque and strip out bolts in aluminum. Tooltopia, http://www.tooltopia.com/an on line tool store, has some moderately priced wrenches that will get you going.
Thanks for you input
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park Kansas
Well, you are correct. I dont know much about maintenance. I installed my intake on my own. I also (with help from my father-in-law) installed my AR headers. He has a lift which made it easy. But, he is a 5 hour drive away from me so that is why I am asking these questions. I didn't know what tools I would need. After hearing everyones opinions, I am a little concerned about the coolant going everywhere in my garage as well as the air in the system. I think I will pay $100 and have a shop do it. I will just make sure they use the OEM gasket.
Thanks for you input
Thanks for you input
Last edited by terry s; Mar 23, 2009 at 01:15 PM.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,899
Likes: 4,351
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
From the response above, you must not know much about automobile maintenance. It is very rewarding and cost effective to do your own mods, but things can go wrong really quickly. If you you going to work on your car I would suggest a shop manual, available from Genes parts house, http://www.gmpartshouse.com/ and a couple of torque wrenches. One for the small stuff, in/lb increments, and one for ft/lb measurements. It is real easy to over torque and strip out bolts in aluminum. Tooltopia, http://www.tooltopia.com/an on line tool store, has some moderately priced wrenches that will get you going.
Sage advice. One additional item on the 160* Stat. For optimum results, you need to reprogram the fan to start running sooner or you won't notice any real difference. The stock settings call for the fan to start at 204* and be fully on at 235*. My tuning is set for start at 190* and fully on at 215*
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
Sage advice. One additional item on the 160* Stat. For optimum results, you need to reprogram the fan to start running sooner or you won't notice any real difference. The stock settings call for the fan to start at 204* and be fully on at 235*. My tuning is set for start at 190* and fully on at 215*
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Overland Park Kansas
Are you absolutly sure the fans have not been reprogramed?
